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Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and BBC correspondent Alan Johnston at Haniyeh's office after Johnston was released by Hamas fighters July 4, 2007 in Gaza. (Photo: Ahmad Khateib/Flash90)
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| By Stan Goodenough July 5, 2007 |
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| Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and BBC correspondent Alan Johnston after his release. (Photo: Ahmad Khateib/Flash90) |
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The Palestinian organization Hamas delivered a masterful performance in cynical manipulation Wednesday, parading kidnapped BBC journalist Alan Johnston in front of the world's press cameras after having "secured" his release.
In looking to the world for applause and admiration for this proof of its humanity, Hamas had a clear and unmistakable goal: to leverage enough appreciation from the media so as to be portrayed in a different light, thereby nudging western nations into recognizing the organization as an address for doing business with.
The world's press fell for it, as did some of its politicians.
Beaming benevolently, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh -- who was Palestinian Authority prime minister until his group usurped control of Gaza in an orgy of barbarous bloodletting two weeks ago -- smiled at Johnston and joked with reporters as he draped a double-sided Palestinian flag around the neck of the still dazed Briton.
Johnston sheepishly removed the flag but an unfazed Haniyeh smiled and pressed a badge saying "Palestine" onto his lapel, before shaking his hand once more and describing the event as "a happy moment for the Palestinian people [sic]."
Turning to the cameras, the Hamas leader sent his "congratulations" to Johnston's family.
Still smiling, as if he were really committing a charitable act, he went on to tell Israel how it could secure the release of its son, IDF Corporal Gilad Shalit who Hamas kidnapped more than a year ago and has held without once allowing a member of his family to see a picture of his face.
"If the Israelis think reasonably and rationally, and take into account the humanitarian issue and the suffering of the Palestinian prisoners, we will be able to reach a deal," the Hamas leader said.
A spokesman for Hamas, Ahmad Yussof, described the light in which the terror group regarded Johnston:
"We tried to get [the kidnappers] to release Alan saying he served us very well; his coverage of the Palestinian Arab plight was very positive," he said.
Journalists fell over themselves to extol Haniyeh's largesse, with one Sky News anchor going so far as to say that Hamas "should be praised," and "this release ? could improve relations between Hamas and the western world?"
Britain's new foreign minister, David Miliband, followed suit.
"The Palestinian people showed their repugnance at Alan's kidnap," he gushed.
"Palestinian president [sic] Abbas strongly condemned Alan's kidnapping and demanded that it be brought to an end.
"Ismail Haniyeh and Hamas spokesmen denounced the hostage takers and demanded Alan's release.
"I fully acknowledge the crucial role they have played in securing this happy outcome."
Back in Gaza it was meanwhile made clear that Johnston's kidnappers would not have to pay for their crime.
Asked what would happen to them, a Hamas spokesman said they had secured Johnston's release with a "gentleman's agreement" and that those responsible for the kidnap had "got the message."
The message was that "legitimate resistance," which has often meant terrorist attacks on Israelis, was "fine," but what they had done was "extremist; they took a position far away from our moderate Palestinian perspective..."
This article first appeared on Jerusalem Newswire. |
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